The loss of virginity plotline is a staple of teen flicks, as is the wild party setting. On that front, Jon Kasdan‘s The First Time offers nothing new. But since its Sundance premiere, this little coming of age tale has drawn praise for being an uncommonly charming example of the subgenre. Peter called it “Can’t Hardly Wait meets John Hughes,” and that’s exactly what it looks like — familiar, perhaps, but sweet and smart enough to become a minor high school classic in its own right.

Dylan O’Brien (Teen Wolf) stars as awkward Dave, who carries a torch for his popular best friend Jane (Victoria Justice, Fun Size). That is, until he meets sarcastic Aubrey (Britt Robertson, The Secret Circle), who in turn is dating a douchebag named Ronny (James Frecheville, Animal Kingdom). Craig Roberts (Submarine) and Lamarcus Tinker (Friday Night Lights) round out the young, up-and-coming cast as Dave’s buddies. Watch the trailer after the jump.

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The First Time is the kind of movie I hope to see at Sundance each year — a coming of age story which is smart, funny, and able to touch your soul. On Twitter I called the film an indie Can’t Hardly Wait for a new generation, and while I’m not sure that comparison is completely valid I’m going to go with it. The story is not set over the course of one night, but instead over the course of one weekend. While Wait was primarily set at a party, a high school party is the starting point for The First Time. This is where Dave Hodgman (Dylan O’Brien) meets Aubrey Miller (Britt Robertson) for the first time.